Day 14
Our final day at the retreat house! This morning 's  morning prayer encouraged us to be people of hope and joy. Our focus today is ..."What now?" How do we take all that we have learned and allow it travel home with us and continue to transform us? After prayer some rested, walked or went to browse the little shops around us. The afternoon we all gathered and the missionaries were broken into small groups of 4 and traveled through 8 different stations which allowed them to further contemplate that question of "what now?" The stations focused on the following:
1. The Corporal Works of Mercy
2. Some quiet private prayer time
3. An affirming presentation of the gifts that were observed in each member of the team.
4. A journaling activity
5. Brainstorming about those injustices and inequities at home in Canada which we are passionate about setting right
6. Forming an action plan
7. Change: Can't change anybody but ourselves
8. Hope: God's in the mess!

It was a great afternoon with lots of good insights. Following an early supper, we boarded the bus for the one hour drive to the Manila Hotel. Not quite how it played out....we were stuck in a traffic jam the likes of which I have never seen in my life! If I was wasn't grey at the start, I was at the end. We had an incredibly skilled driver!! But words cannot even describe that whole experience! Luckily...like just about everywhere else in this musical country, the bus was equipped with karaoke!! So the 2 1/2 hours that it took to get to the hotel were entertaining....mostly. : ) Bert even responded to pleas from the back of the bus and sang a rousing rendition of "Rhinestone Cowboy"! Such a good sport!! Father Dan and Father Rey reunited with us at our hotel after being away at a bishops funeral for a couple days in Manila. Our hotel is a very nice facility with big spacious rooms and hot water. We are a very lucky bunch.

Prayer request: For our team to come home inspired and energized to continue to serve.
Quote of the day: Bert on the bus: "How many more miles til we get there??"
                            The adult version of "Are we there yet...????"